Wheel cover



Nov. 27, 1951 LYON 2,576,130 WHEEL COVER Filed Jan. 20, 1947 2UP 650cm? Q55 [WM a/ /m EZTE Patented Nov. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WHEEL COVER George Albert Lyon, Detroit, Mich. Application January 20, 1947, Serial No. 723,173

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in wheel structures, and more particularly wheel structures of the kind used on vehicles and having pneumatic tires, and to a novel cover assembly for the outer side of the wheel.

An important object of the present inven-' tion is to provide an improved cover assembly for a wheel including a multi-flanged tire rim and load-sustaining body part.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved composite wheel cover wherein a retaining member secures a plurality of cover components into a unitary assembly and also serves as a medium by which the cover is secured in place on a wheel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cover assembly including a retaining member and a cover member, and novel means for securing the retaining member and cover member together. a

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel cover assembly for application to an existing wheel.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cover assembly for completely covering the outer side of vehicle and which is adapted to be applied to the wheel without regard to any special structural alteration in the wheel and which is readily adaptable to various structural features or arrangements on the wheel.

According to the general features of the invention, there is provided a cover for a vehicle wheel of the kind having a multi-fianged tire rim and a load-sustaining body part, a retaining plate member formed for wedging biting engagement with the tire rim and having a portion thereof adapted to conceal the body portion of the wheel about the central bolt-on portion of the wheel, a trim ring member for concealing the tire rim and the radially outer margin of the retaining plate and engaging the retaining plate on an annular line adjacent to the radially outer margin of the retaining plate, the retaining plate having a plurality of retaining fingers securing the radially inner margin of the trim ring thereto, and a hub cap cover member separably secured to the radially inner marginal portion of the retaining plate.

According to other general features of the invention, the radially inner margin of the retaining plate extends in a substantially flat plane and carries a plurality of hub-cap retaining members with which the hub cap is in snap-on pry-oil retaining engagement.

According to further general features of the invention, the retaining plate is formed complementary to an axially outwardly extending annular reinforcing nose bulge of the vehicle wheel body to which it is applied, and has the radially inner margin thereof extending in a flat plane to project radially inwardly beyond the peak of the Wheel nose bulge, the radially inwardly extending margin of the retaining plate having a series of hub cap retaining clips secured thereto.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a wheel structure embodying the features of the present invention, with certain parts of the cover broken away to reveal details of structure therebehind;

Figure 2 is an enlarged radial sectional view taken substantially on the line II--II of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary of the cover assembly.

As shown on the drawings:

A wheel with which the present invention is adapted to be used comprises a tire rim l0 and a wheel body II which is concentrically disposed with respect to the tire rim and secured to the base flange thereof in any suitable fashion.

The tire rim is formed in the usual drop-center, flanged fashion, including at its outer side a side flange I2 extending generally radially outwardly and slightly axially outwardly; an intermediate generally axially outwardly extending flange l3, and a terminal flange l4.

The wheel body H is preferably of the type which is adapted to be formed from heavy sheet metal as a stamping and has a generally axially outwardly extending annular reinforcing nose bulge l5 which defines a central dished portion ll, including a bolt-on flange 18 adapted to be securedto a portion of a vehicle axle (not shown).

A conventional tire I!) is adapted to be supported in the tire rim and has an inflatable tube 20 therein.

Since the outer side of the vehicle wheel, due to the flanged and functionally contoured structure thereof, presents a notoriously unattractive appearance and due to the various corners and crevices presented, is especially susceptible to collecting road dirt, which further detracts the appearance of the wheel and has a deteriorating effect, it is desirable and expedient to cover the outer side of the wheel with an ornamental, protective covering.

rear elevational view 'be made from p I The trim ring cover member 2| is preferably According to the present invention an improved cover assembly is provided which is readily and self-adjustably adapted to be mounted on the wheel without alteration of any of the functional or conventional characteristics of the wheel. To this end, a trim ring cover member 2| is supported in mounted relation to the wheel by a retaining ring member or plate 22, and a hub cap cover member-23 is; also adapted to. be supported in mounted" relatiorift'o t e wheel by the retaining plate 22. All of these members are adapted to suitable sheet material.

of a magnitude and extent to be disposed in o'rn'a: mental, protective relation to the outer side of the tire rim Hi and is preferably fdrfr'ied'with a cross sectional contour generally simulating the side wall curvature of the tire l9. As a. result, where the outer side of the trim ring member 2| is of a light or white color, it resembles aradially inne white side: wall egte'ns'ion' ofthe are} At its outer margin. the trimring co ermemb''r 2| is preferablyformed' with ac rein-forcing structure such as a bead 24 which'i's adapted to oircumscribe the tire rim terminal flange l4. From the bead 24, the trim ring member 2| extends on a co'nye'x contour generally radially inwardly n axially inwardly t'oa mar'g nairemforcing flange 25 whichis preferably annularly formedto extend generally hook-shape radially outwardly behind the trim'ring inner margin. The shoulder provided" at the juncture-of the flange 25 with the body of the trim ring member 2| is adapted to fit 'snuglyagainst the opposing surface at the retaining platemember 22.

The retaining plate member '22 is preferably formed with means for biting'wedgi'ng engagement with the outer intermediate-flange l3 of the the rim. For this purpose; the retaining plate member 22" is formed the body portion thereof with a contour substantially complebody'r'ne'inber "so as to lie snugly thereagainst" in outer margin of the retaining'inemberis formed. e

as a generally radially outwarm and Slightly axially outwardly. extending reinforcing flange 2'lof agenera diametersomewhat less than the diameter described by the inner face of the intermediate flange 13, Extending generally-radially outwardly in the plane of the flange 21 is a -pluralitybf equally spaced wedging, biting retaining fingers 28, herein: shown as four in number. These fingers 28 are or an outer 'edge diameter to enter into wedging biting engagement with-the inner surface of the intermediate tire rim flange l3 when the'cover is pushed axially inwardly into mounted position on the wheel; I

Preferably struck out frorn t'he juncture area of the outermargi'rial flange '21 of the retaining member 22 are a plurality of integral interlockfingers 29 which are curled-axially outwardly and radially inwardly into locking relation to the hook-like inner marginal reinforcing flange 25 of the trim ring cover. member. In this manner thetrim ring "cover member 2| and the retaining plate 22 are permanently secured together. As shown, there maybe a si1bstantial number of the securing fingers 25 formed at spaced'interv'als on an annular line conforming to the marginal flange 25 of the' trim ring cover member and sufliciently closely disposed to retain the trim ring cover member quite trio'rcugmy,

At it's-inner-margin the retaining plate-man er 22 is preferably formed with a iiat fiangerll which flange 3|] as by means of rivet 34. Only a extends radially inwardly beyond the peak of the wheel body nose I5 whereby the marginal flange 30 clears any structure that may be adjacent to the radially outer side of the dished depression portion l! of the Wheel body. By preference, a reinforcing bead 3| is formed at the radially inner extremity of the flange 30.

For securing the hub removably in place on the cap cover member 23 V I v retainingmember 22, the radially inner marginal flange 30 is equipped with a plurality 6f retaining spring clips 32. Each of the clips 32 i formed with a baseflange porti'on 33 which is secured to the retaining member single rivet 34 needed because the extremity of the range 33' is "disposed contiguous the head 3! which thereby holds the clip against swiveling about the axis of the rivet 34. From the radially outer end of the base flange 33 extends a generally axially outwardly and slightly radially inwardly tilted goose-neck flange 35 which mer 'ges at its outer en'dion a radius with acam flange 3! at the axially inner end of which is a generally axially inwardly and radially inwardly. extending retaining shoulder flange terminal 38.

The retaining equidistantly spaced series with the shoulder flanges 38 arranged to engage a marginal reinforcing head 39 on the hub" cap coverwmmber 23 and pres the bead against theadjacnt surface of the retaining plate 2 2'.- Bypreferenc'e, the diameter of the hub capcover member 23is'such that the bead 39 engages the retaining. plate 22 opposite substantially the peakflof' the nose portion l5 of the wheel body. Thereby inwardpressure applied against the retaining plate '22'by the edge of the hub cap cover memberZS-in the application thereof. during assembly is solidly resisted or backedup' by the nose portion of: the wheel body. s

For removing the hub capcover-23 apry-off tool applied between the bead 35 and the ire'taine ing member 22 and appropriate manipulation of the pry-ofi tool will sn'ap th'e-bead 39 out ofengagement with the retaining clip 32.. By having the under portion'behind the retaining plate 22 which is' engaged by the pry-err tool solidly-backed up by the .wheel nose l5 will save the retaining lates from pry-off tool damage. i i

The trimring cover member 2| may be termed With-an a erture 40 for protrusion trieretnrou h of avalve stem 41. g I

When the-cover is applied to the 'wheel'the valve stem aperture 4|) is first registered with tlie end portion of thevalve stern 4| and'the co'ver is then finally. mounted by p'ressingthe 'safn e inwardly until the fingers '28 of the retaining rneinEer-arein full biting wedgii-ig engagement with the-tire rim intermediate flange l3 and them body ertion'ofthe retainihg r'nember 2-2is engagement with the wheel body and particularly trier-nee portion l5 thereof. e

The present over a'fihrd's a eom' iete cuter-6e cover-r01- the wheeranuty aving the sever-a1 exposed components-or Gent ng firiish; attractiye tirhanientaleffctis a a med.- i/Iereover, since all the exposedsurfaces of the cover are smoothly contoured, they arefea sily-kept clean.

The wheel-is protectedby the"cover against -dirt V and the deterioratingeffects of-roadsplash;

It will, -of course be iinderstoodth'atvarious ee- -tails-of eonstruction maybe var ed throu'g' wide range Without departing fr'onlth this invention and it 1s,- he 'o're n -to limit thepatent-grantedhi eon other is than clips 32 are disposed in a-eircular,

necessitated by the scopeof the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: v V

1. A wheel cover for a vehicle wheel of the kind having a multi-flanged tire rim and a load-sustaining body part, a retaining plate member formed for wedging biting engagement with the tire rim and having a portion thereof adapted to conceal the body portion of the wheel about the central bolt-on portion of the wheel, a trim ring member for concealing the tire rim and the radially outer margin of the retaining plate and engaging the retaining plate on anannular line adjacent to the radially outer margin of the retaining plate, the retaining plate having a plurality of retaining fingers securing the radially inner margin of the trim ring thereto, and a hub cap cover member separably secured to the radially inner marginal portion of the retaining plate.

2. A wheel cover for a vehicle wheel of the kind having a multi-fianged tire rim and a load-sustaining body part, a retaining plate member formed for wedging biting engagement with the tire rim and having a portion thereof adapted to conceal the body portion of the wheel about the central bolt-on portion of the wheel, a trim ring member for concealing the tire rim and the radially outer margin of the retaining plate and engaging the retaining plate on an annular line adjacent to the radially outer margin of the retaining plate, the retaining plate having a plurality of retaining fingers securing the radially inner margin of the trim ring thereto, and a hub cap cover member separably secured to the radially inner marginal portion of the retaining plate, the radially inner margin of the retaining plate extending in a substantially flat plane and carrying a plurallty of hub-cap retaining members with which the hub cap is in snap-on pry-01f retaining engagement.

3. A wheel cover for a vehicle wheel of the kind having a multi-fianged tire rim and a load-sustaining body part having an annular reinforcing nose bulge, a retaining plate member formed for wedging biting engagement with the tire rim and having a portion thereof adapted to conceal the body portion of the wheel about the central bolton portion of the wheel, a trim ring member for concealing the tire rim and the radially outer margin of the retaining plate and engaging the retaining plate on an annular line adjacent to the radially outer margin of the retaining plate, the retaining plate having a plurality of retaining lingers securing the radially inner margin of the trim ring thereto, and a hub cap cover member separably secured to the radially inner marginal portion of the retaining plate, the retaining plate being formed complementary to the axially outwardly extending annular reinforcing nose bulge of the vehicle wheel body, the radially inner margin of the retaining plate extending in a fiat plane to project radially inwardly beyond the peak of the wheel nose bulge, said radially inwardly extending margin having a series of hub cap retaining clips secured thereto.

4. In combination, in a cover assembly for a vehicle wheel, a retaining plate member and a cover member having a margin thereof in engagement with the retaining plate member, the margin of the cover member having an under-turned hook-like flange thereon, the retaining plate member having a hook-like retaining structure thereon concealed behind the cover member and retainingly interlocked with the hook-like flange of the cover member, and means extending in opposite directions from the juncture of the retaining plate member and thecover member; and adapted respectively for engagement with the wheel and for engagement by a second cover member. M

5. In combination, in a cover assembly for vehicle wheel, a retaining plate member and a cover member having a margin thereof in engagement with the retaining plate member, the margin of the cover member having a hook-like flange thereon, the retaining plate member having a hooklike retaining structure thereon interlocked with the hook-like flange of the cover member, and means, extending in opposite directions from the juncture of the retaining plate member and the cover member and adapted respectively for engagement with the wheel and for engagement by a second cover member, said portion of the retaining plate member engageable by the second cover member having a plurality of spring clips secured thereto for retainingly engaging the second cover member and holding it on the retaining plate member.

6. In combination, a cover assembly of the character described, a trim ring cover member of generally tire side wall curvature simulating cross section and adapted to be disposed in conmember engaging in said hub cap cover remember, and a retaining member having means thereon concealed behind said outer cover memmember, said retaining member supporting the inner cover member in separable relationship, said retaining member having means thereon for engagement with the wheel and having a radially inner margin adapted to extend in spaced relation to the adjacent portion of the wheel body, said inner marginal portion having a set of spring clips mounted thereon behind said inner cover memher for separable retaining engagement with the inner cover member.

8. In combination in a cover assembly of the character described, an outer annular cover member, a retaining plate member having means thereon for engagement with the wheel and being secured to the inner margin of the outer cover blips to said margin; theengagement of the ends oi the-elips-w ith the bead holding the clips against rotation about the' axis of the respective rivets;

9. In combination in a cover assembly of the character described, a trim ring member, a replate member having means concealed'behind the 10 trim ring member for retaining engagement with a Wheel, the radially inner portion of the retain ing' plate having a series of retaining clips thereon QE WETSB the at eap-niemEerretainingly engaing said clips and being retainedtherehy on the "retaining plate;- w

V 7 GEORGE-ALBERT LYON;

.REFER'ENCES CITED The f o-liowin'g" references are of recordin the file of this patent: V

UNITED-STATES FATENTS 

